deputy should be Negroes, nor that they should aspire to other places
in public life.

Unfortunately, as all witnesses agree, Judge Lewis and Clerk Ferguson
were given to drinking habits, which brought them under accusation
before the courts for drunkenness. It was probable that they would
have been convicted; but without awaiting the tardiness of the law, a
shorter process was found.

In palliation of their hasty banishment it is claimed that anonymous
letters were sent to some of the leading white citizens, warning them
to leave the county. These letters it is asserted--not proved--must
have proceeded from Clerk Ferguson's office, although not written by
himself. The object was to intimidate those who would be most
efficient in convicting and deposing the unworthy officials.

Furthermore, there are two opposing factions of colored Baptists at
Marion, and it is surmised that one of these factions, regarding these
prominent characters as their enemies, had something to do with the
letter-writing in order to bring down wrath upon them. Still another
theory is, that the whites have only been awaiting their chance, and
taking advantage of favorable conditions, knew when and whence the
said letters would be issued. It was all arranged beforehand. At all
events, the time was very short, after the delivery of the letters,
until Winchester rifles and shot-guns were in the hands of some scores
of white citizens, and fifteen Negro men, including Lewis and
Ferguson, York Byers, a deputy sheriff and well-to-do farmer, Dr.
Stith, a successful young physician, and others, were speedily sent
across the river to Memphis.